Three tests, six ODI and three T20 matches. The teams are at
the venue. The first test begins on Jan 5th. There were supposed to be two warm-up matches. But India preferred training sessions. Wonder why. Didn’t
want to reveal a few tricks? Because India has not only been playing quite a
bit recently but also playing well. The reason is the tough conditions in South
Africa that the Men In Blue are not quite used to. They may be the champs when
it comes to venues in the Indian Subcontinent. The real test is while playing
in Conditions that are totally new to them. Like South Africa. Possibly, the
matches played in India and in Sri Lanka were their warm-up matches.
Dhoni is not on the test team. He will join the team to play in the ODI. He
totally agreed with Kohli on the decision to prepare. With so many matches,
teams are made to just play instead of prepare. Well,
I agree. While Kohli and team have 9 successive series victories, the key will
be to win on a pitch that is not batting friendly. Not an Indian subcontinent
pitch.
South Africa has a good side too. Dale Steyn returns from
injury. Vernon Philander supports him as a new ball partner. AB de Villiers
adds strength to the batting department.
Let’s take a look at the team for the test matches.
South Africa
Faf du Plessis ( c ), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de
Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden
Markram, Morné Morkel, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander,
Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn
India
Virat Kohli ( c ), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra
Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Parthiv Patel, Cheteshwar Pujara, K.
L. Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma,
Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav
My lineup
Batsmen
Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma
C Pujara
Shikhar Dhawan
AB De Villiers
A Rahane
Bowlers
K Rabada
Vernon Phinalder
Morne Morkel
Wicket-Keeper
W Saha
All-Rounders
Hardik Pandya
This is no walk in the park for the Indian team. This
challenge is not only difficult but also unfamiliar. India has struggled in
South Africa, crumbling to the bowling attack and winning just two out of 17
tests conducted. But one advantage that this team has - many of the players
have been to the Rainbow Nation and know what to expect. This squad could be
different. This squad could make history.
Indu
P.S. Please note that the above-expressed opinions are
purely the Editor’s. We do not take
responsibility, nor can we guarantee the performance of the players. All the
best !!!
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